What to Do If You Smell Gas After a Storm in St. Louis

If you smell gas after a storm, leave the building at once without touching any switches or electronics, avoid open flames, and call emergency services (911) plus your gas company from a safe distance. Do not return until a trained technician declares the area safe.

 

Immediate Safety Measures

 

Gas leaks can cause fires or explosions. Follow these steps without delay:

• Evacuate Immediately – Leave windows and doors open on your way out if you can do so safely. Do not operate light switches, appliances, or phones inside the house.
• Avoid Sparks and Flames – Do not light matches, candles, lighters or start your car. Even a small spark can ignite natural gas (mostly methane) mixed with air.
• Stay Upwind – Move to a spot upwind of the building so any gas trails away from you.
• Use a Neighbor’s Phone or Mobile Device – From a safe distance (at least 100 feet), call 911 to report the leak and call your gas utility or emergency gas line contact.

 

Understanding Why You Smell Gas

 

Natural gas is colorless and odorless on its own. Utilities add a chemical called mercaptan that smells like rotten eggs to make leaks easy to detect. After a storm, underground or above-ground gas lines can be cracked by flooding, lightning strikes, fallen trees or shifting soil. Heavy rains can wash out supports or covers, exposing lines to damage. Knowing this helps you appreciate the risk and act fast.

 

Identifying the Source Safely

 

You may be able to spot signs before technicians arrive, but only from outdoors:

• Hissing or Whistling Sounds – A strong sound near a gas meter, pipeline, or appliance suggests high-pressure gas escaping.
• Dead or Discolored Vegetation – Plants or grass around a buried line may wilt or discolor because natural gas displaces oxygen in the soil.
• Dust Clouds Near the Ground – Gas rushing through a small gap can stir up dust or dirt.
• Abnormal Bubbles in Standing Water – After heavy rain, check puddles; continuous bubbling may indicate an underground leak.

Do not try to dig or investigate holes or pipelines yourself. If you spot any of these signs, alert first responders.

 

Notifying Professionals

 

Only trained emergency and utility crews should handle gas leaks:

• Call 911 – Inform them you smell gas after a storm. Provide your address and any visible signs (hissing sound, dead plants).
• Contact Your Gas Company – If you know the emergency line for your gas provider, call it immediately. If you’re in St. Louis or nearby, use the local utility number. In Nashville, use that service’s emergency hotline.
• Wait for Clearance – Do not re-enter until fire officials or utility technicians test the air and confirm it’s safe.

 

Ventilation and Prevention While You Wait

 

If officials allow brief re-entry or you’re instructed to ventilate before they arrive:

• Open All Windows and Doors – Increase airflow to help disperse gas, but do not turn any electrical switches.
• Avoid Any Electronics – Do not plug or unplug anything, including chargers.
• Keep Away From the Leak Area – Stay in another room with cross-ventilation until professionals arrive.

 

Follow-Up Inspection and Repairs

 

Once the leak is stopped, ensure long-term safety:

• Professional Line Inspection – A qualified technician uses specialized equipment (like a gas sniffer) to check every joint, valve and meter.
• Repair or Replace Damaged Sections – Pipes bent by falling debris or cracked by ground movement must be replaced by licensed plumbers or gas fitters.
• Test Appliances – Furnaces, water heaters and stoves should be inspected and tested under line pressure to confirm no hidden leaks.
• Install or Check Detectors – A battery-powered natural gas detector with a low battery alarm provides early warning of future leaks.

 

Emergency Kit and Preparedness

 

After experiencing one gas leak risk, be prepared for the next:

• Keep Emergency Numbers Handy – Post 911 and your gas company’s hotline near phones and refrigerators.
• Create a Storm Survival Kit – Include flashlights, battery-powered radio, fresh batteries, first-aid supplies and water-proof copies of important contacts.
• Know Your Shutoff Valve – Learn where the main gas shutoff is and how to close it with a wrench. Only do this when the gas company instructs you.
• Plan an Evacuation Route – Identify safe meeting spots and practice drills with family members.

 

Why Professional Assistance Matters

 

Natural gas is under high pressure and leaks can be deadly. Licensed technicians have:

• Specialized Tools – Gas detectors, leak-sealing equipment and pressure gauges.
• Technical Training – Knowledge of pipeline networks, proper venting techniques and codes.
• Safety Certifications – Compliance with local fire and building regulations to guarantee repairs are done right.

By acting immediately, following safe-distance protocols, and calling in professionals, you protect your home and family after a storm. From St. Louis to Nashville, swift, correct steps can prevent a small leak from becoming a major hazard.